Barça title hopes fade as Elche edge Malaga

A stoppage-time goal from Angel Lafita snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw for Getafe at Barcelona, which could prove fatal to the Catalan club’s hopes of retaining the Primera Division title.

Gerardo Martino’s men began the day four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid but a victory looked likely when Alexis Sanchez fired home in the second half after Lafita had earlier cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opener.

But struggling Getafe grabbed an unlikely point with another equaliser from Lafita – 90 seconds into stoppage time – and Barça will find themselves six points behind Atletico if the Madrid club beat Levante on Sunday, with the two sides set to meet on the final day of the season.

Barça could also find themselves down to third spot by the end of the weekend with Real Madrid due to face Valencia on Sunday night. Getafe, meanwhile, are now unbeaten in three Spanish La Liga matches to keep their noses above the relegation zone.

Garry Rodrigues’ early strike was all Elche needed to claim the points in a 1-0 victory over Malaga at La Rosaleda. Rodrigues struck after 11 minutes to clinch three much-needed points for Fran Escriba’s side in their attempt to beat relegation in their first season back in the top flight, but were made to fight all the way as Alberto Botia’s late red card saw them play out the final minutes with ten men.

Nolito’s brace handed Celta Vigo a 2-0 win at El Sadar Stadium to plunge Osasuna deep into relegation trouble. The Spanish forward made it seven goals in four games to continue his hot streak and leave Javi Gracia’s side one place and two points outside of the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s late game.

In the late kick-off, Real Valladolid defeated Espanyol 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Antonio Rukavina to keep their hopes of survival in the top flight alive.